JP2010049003A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that enables a user to be correctly informed of the effect of the selection of a toner save mode. <P>SOLUTION: Disclosed is the image forming apparatus 22 which can select either of image formation in a normal print mode or image formation in the toner save mode. A toner consumption quantity calculating section 171 calculates the normal quantity of toner consumption and a quantity of toner consumption in the toner save mode. Based on the result of the calculation made by the toner consumption quantity calculating section 171, a control section 50 causes a display section 80 in an operating part 54 to display contrast data, which is data for informing a user of the effect obtained by the selection of the toner save mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on input image data, and more particularly to a technique in an image forming apparatus that can select either a normal print mode or a toner save mode.

  In recent years, an image forming apparatus capable of selecting either the normal print mode or the toner save mode has been proposed due to the growing awareness of protecting the global environment. The toner save mode is a print mode in which image formation is performed while reducing the amount of toner consumed compared to image formation in the normal print mode. By performing image formation in the toner save mode, the user can contribute to the protection of the global environment and can reduce the cost required for image formation.

As such an image forming apparatus, for example, in Patent Document 1, in toner save mode, the density of an output image is lowered by truncating upper or lower 4 bits of image information in which one dot has an 8-bit width. An image output apparatus that converts image information is disclosed. Patent Document 2 discloses an electrophotographic apparatus capable of reducing the toner consumption by reducing the data width per dot in the toner consumption saving mode and selecting a plurality of reduced data widths. In Patent Document 3, the image information is output as it is for a certain period of time after the edge of the image information is detected even during the toner consumption suppressing operation, and the effective recording area portion of the image information is set at a predetermined ratio at other times. A printer that outputs thinned-out information is disclosed.
JP-A-9-325653 JP-A-8-123257 JP-A-9-30042

  The amount of toner reduction in the toner save mode varies depending on the type of image to be printed. Therefore, in the image forming apparatuses disclosed in Patent Document 1 to Patent Document 3, the user cannot accurately grasp the toner consumption and cost to be reduced by selecting the toner save mode. There is a problem that the print mode cannot be selected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus that allows the user to accurately grasp the effect obtained by selecting the toner save mode. is there.

  The image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured to perform image formation in the toner save mode that reduces the amount of consumed toner as compared with image formation in the normal print mode or image formation in the normal print mode. An image forming apparatus that can select either of them, a normal toner consumption amount that is a toner consumption amount when an image is formed in a normal print mode, and a save mode toner that is a toner consumption amount when an image is formed in a toner save mode Based on the calculation results of the toner consumption calculation unit, the display unit, and the toner consumption calculation unit for calculating the consumption amount, information for notifying the effect obtained by selecting the toner save mode is displayed on the display unit. Including a control unit.

  As described above, the control unit displays information notifying the effect obtained by selecting the toner save mode on the display unit based on the calculation result of the toner consumption amount calculation unit. By selecting, it is possible to accurately grasp the toner consumption reduced.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes a toner reduction rate calculation unit that calculates a ratio of the save mode toner consumption amount to the normal toner consumption amount based on a calculation result of the toner consumption amount calculation unit, and the control unit includes the toner consumption amount calculation unit. Based on the calculation results of the amount calculation unit and the toner reduction rate calculation unit, the display unit displays information for informing the effect obtained by selecting the toner save mode.

  As described above, the control unit causes the display unit to display information for informing the effect obtained by selecting the toner save mode based on the calculation results of the toner consumption calculation unit and the toner reduction rate calculation unit. The user can grasp the toner consumption reduced by selecting the toner save mode and the effect of reducing the toner consumption more accurately and easily. Therefore, user convenience is further improved.

  More preferably, based on the calculation result of the toner consumption calculation unit, the image forming apparatus performs normal toner cost, which is a price of toner required for image formation in the normal print mode, and image formation in the toner save mode. A toner cost calculation unit that calculates a save mode toner cost that is a price of the required toner, and the control unit displays the toner save mode on the display unit based on the calculation results of the toner consumption calculation unit and the toner cost calculation unit. Information notifying the effect obtained by selecting is displayed.

  As described above, the control unit causes the display unit to display information for informing the effect obtained by selecting the toner save mode based on the calculation results of the toner consumption calculation unit and the toner cost calculation unit. The toner consumption amount and the cost reduced by selecting the toner save mode can be accurately grasped. Therefore, the user can select either the normal print mode or the toner save mode in consideration of cost reduction in image formation, and the convenience for the user is further improved.

  More preferably, each time the normal toner consumption amount and the save mode toner consumption amount are calculated by the toner consumption amount calculation unit, the image forming apparatus includes the accumulated normal toner consumption amount obtained by accumulating the normal toner consumption amount and the save toner mode. A cumulative toner consumption amount calculation unit that calculates a cumulative save toner mode consumption amount that is a cumulative amount of consumption, and the control unit is configured to display a display unit based on the calculation results of the toner consumption amount calculation unit and the cumulative toner consumption amount calculation unit; In addition, information for notifying the effect obtained by selecting the toner save mode is displayed.

  As described above, the control unit causes the display unit to display information for informing the effect obtained by selecting the toner save mode based on the calculation results of the toner consumption calculation unit and the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit. The user can more accurately and easily grasp the toner consumption reduced by selecting the toner save mode and the overall reduction effect of the toner consumption. Therefore, for example, even when an image with a small toner consumption reduction effect in the toner save mode is formed, the user selects either the normal print mode or the toner save mode in consideration of the overall reduction effect. Therefore, the convenience for the user can be further improved and the environment can be further protected.

  More preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes a cumulative toner reduction rate calculation unit that calculates a ratio of the cumulative save mode toner consumption amount to the cumulative normal toner consumption amount based on the calculation result of the cumulative toner consumption amount calculation unit, The unit notifies the display unit of the effect obtained by selecting the toner save mode based on the calculation results of the toner consumption calculation unit, the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit, and the cumulative toner reduction rate calculation unit. Is displayed.

  As described above, the control unit is obtained by selecting the toner save mode on the display unit based on the calculation results of the toner consumption calculation unit, the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit, and the cumulative toner reduction rate calculation unit. Since the information for informing the effect is displayed, the user can more accurately and easily grasp the toner consumption reduced by selecting the toner save mode and the overall effect of reducing the toner consumption. Therefore, the user can select either the normal print mode or the toner save mode in consideration of the overall reduction effect, so that the convenience of the user can be further improved and the environment can be further contributed to. it can.

  More preferably, the image forming apparatus includes a cumulative normal toner cost obtained by accumulating a normal toner cost, which is a price of toner required for image formation in the normal print mode, based on a calculation result of the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit, and a toner A cumulative toner cost calculation unit that calculates a cumulative save mode toner cost that is an accumulation of a save mode toner cost that is a price of toner required for image formation in the save mode, and the control unit includes a toner consumption calculation unit, a cumulative Based on the calculation results of the toner consumption amount calculation unit and the accumulated toner cost calculation unit, the display unit displays information for informing the effect obtained by selecting the toner save mode.

  As described above, the control unit can obtain the effect obtained by selecting the toner save mode on the display unit based on the calculation results of the toner consumption calculation unit, the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit, and the cumulative toner cost calculation unit. Therefore, the user can accurately grasp the toner consumption reduced by selecting the toner save mode, and the overall reduction effect of the toner consumption and cost. Accordingly, the user can select either the normal print mode or the toner save mode with a further awareness of cost reduction in image formation, and the convenience for the user is further improved.

  According to the present invention, the control unit notifies the display unit of the effect obtained by selecting the toner save mode based on the normal toner consumption amount and the save mode toner consumption amount calculated by the toner consumption amount calculation unit. Since the information to be displayed is displayed, the user can accurately grasp the amount of toner consumption reduced by selecting the toner save mode.

  In the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals and names are assigned to the same components. Their functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated each time.

[Image forming apparatus 22]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 22. Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 22 is an MFP (Multifunction Printer) having a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and the like, and includes a control unit 50, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 52, An operation unit 54, a scanner unit 56, an image processing device 58, an image forming unit 60, a pixel count unit 62, a toner amount calculation unit 64, and a LAN interface (LAN I / F) 66 are included.

  The control unit 50 is substantially a computer and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 70, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 72, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 74. A BUS line 76 is connected to the CPU 70, and a ROM 72 and a RAM 74 are electrically connected to the BUS line 76. The CPU 70 executes various computer programs in accordance with instructions from the operation unit 54 and the like, thereby executing desired processing such as operation of each component of the image forming apparatus 22 and communication with an external device. The various computer programs are stored in the ROM 72 in advance, and are read from the ROM 72 and transferred to the RAM 74 when desired processing is executed. The CPU 70 reads and interprets a program instruction from an address in the RAM 74 specified by a value stored in a register called a program counter (not shown) in the CPU 70. CPU 70 also reads data necessary for the operation from the address specified by the read instruction, and executes an operation corresponding to the instruction on the data. The result of the execution is also stored at an address specified by the instruction, such as a register in the RAM 74, HDD 52, and CPU 70.

  Further, the HDD 52, the operation unit 54, the scanner unit 56, the image processing device 58, the image forming unit 60, the pixel count unit 62, the toner amount calculation unit 64, and the LAN I / F 66 are electrically connected to the BUS line 76. Is done.

  The HDD 52 includes a magnetic storage medium and provides a storage area for storing various data including a unit price of toner, an integrated value of pixel count values and a weighting coefficient table, which will be described later, and image data. In this embodiment, the price of toner per gram is stored as the unit price of toner.

  The operation unit 54 includes an input unit 78 including a touch panel including various input keys for performing input in accordance with a user's instruction, a liquid crystal display (LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)), and the like, and notifies the user. A display unit 80 for displaying information to be displayed is overlapped. The input unit 78 includes an input key for making a print request, an input key for selecting a display method of contrast data to be described later, an input key for selecting a normal print mode or a toner save mode as a print mode, and image quality An input key or the like for inputting each setting content in the adjustment mode is provided. Here, the toner save mode is a print mode in which image formation is performed while reducing the amount of consumed toner as compared to image formation in the normal print mode. The method for reducing the toner consumption amount in the toner save mode is not particularly limited, and a known method can be used. In the present embodiment, toner consumption is reduced by using a gamma correction table for toner save mode in processing in a halftone correction processing unit 160 described later. The processing in the halftone correction processing unit 160 will be described later.

  The scanner unit 56 includes an optical system including a document detection sensor and a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) line sensor (none of which is shown). The document detection sensor is applied to the image surface of a document placed on a document placing table (not shown) manually by a user or by an automatic document feeder (not shown, ADF (Automatic Document Feeder)). A reflected light image obtained by irradiating light from a light source (not shown) is formed on the CCD line sensor. The CCD line sensor sequentially photoelectrically converts the formed reflected light image and outputs it to the image processing device 58 as a digital image signal. That is, when copying or scanning an original, the scanner unit 56 reads image information from the original placed on the original placement table by the original detection sensor, and converts the read image information into an electrical signal by the CCD line sensor. An image signal is output to the image processing device 58. Here, the digital image signal is an image signal representing multi-value image data. In the present embodiment, an image signal output from the scanner unit 56 (hereinafter referred to as “input image signal”) is an RGB (red, green, blue) digital image signal.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the flow of processing in the image processing device 58, the pixel count unit 62, and the toner amount calculation unit 64.

  Referring to FIG. 2, an image processing device 58 includes an image processing control unit, a storage unit (all of which are not shown), an input signal processing unit 110, a region separation processing unit 120, a color correction / black generation processing unit. 130, a zoom scaling processing unit 140, a spatial filter processing unit 150, and a halftone correction processing unit 160.

  The image processing control unit includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) (none of which is shown), and is electrically connected to the control unit 50 via the BUS line 76. The image processing control unit reads the program stored in the ROM 72 or the HDD 52 of the control unit 50 via the BUS line 76, and based on the read program, the input signal processing unit 110, the region separation processing unit 120, the color correction The image processing is executed by comprehensively controlling the black generation processing unit 130, zoom scaling processing unit 140, spatial filter processing unit 150, and halftone correction processing unit 160.

  The storage unit includes a ROM and a RAM (both not shown). The RAM is a temporary storage memory in which a program in the ROM is expanded or used as a working memory when the image processing control unit executes various programs. The RAM temporarily stores various data during and after image processing. The ROM is a read-only memory that stores various programs and various data such as a gamma correction table and a spatial filter table described later.

  The input signal processing unit 110 performs preprocessing for image processing performed after processing in the input signal processing unit 110, input gamma correction and conversion in image adjustment, and the like for the input image signal input from the scanner unit 56. Do.

  The region separation processing unit 120 performs region determination such as a character region and a halftone photo region on the image signal input from the input signal processing unit 110, and an identification signal (hereinafter referred to as “region separation identification signal”) indicating the determination result. Is added for each area. This region separation identification signal is used when different processing is performed for each region in the spatial filter processing unit 150, the halftone correction processing unit 160, and the like. For example, the spatial filter processing unit 150 performs smoothing filter processing on the image signal in the halftone photographic region and performs edge enhancement filter processing on the image signal in the character region. Also, the halftone correction processing unit 160 changes the halftone gamma characteristic to a characteristic with a clearer grayscale difference.

  The color correction / black generation processing unit 130 converts the RGB image signal input from the region separation processing unit 120 into a CMYK (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) image signal that is the final output form.

  The zoom scaling processing unit 140 performs scaling processing on the CMYK image signal input from the color correction / black generation processing unit 130.

  The spatial filter processing unit 150 stores a spatial filter corresponding to a region separation identification signal or a setting state of an image quality adjustment mode instructed by an input operation from the operation unit 54 by a user or the like in a storage unit in advance. A spatial filter process is performed on the CMYK image signal selected from the filter table and input from the zoom scaling processing unit 140. Here, the spatial filter process is a process including a smooth filter process and an edge enhancement filter process. For example, the spatial filter processing unit 150 performs smoothing filter processing on the image signal in the halftone photographic area, and performs edge enhancement filter processing on the image signal in the character area. The spatial filter table is a table including a spatial filter (filter coefficient) that is referred to when performing spatial filter processing. The spatial filter can be selected from an arbitrary table stored in the storage unit according to the setting state of the image quality adjustment mode.

  The halftone correction processing unit 160 uses the two types of gamma correction tables stored in advance in the storage unit for the image signal input from the spatial filter processing unit 150 to correct halftone gamma characteristics (hereinafter, “ The halftone correction process ”is performed. In other words, the halftone correction processing unit 160 performs the halftone correction process using the normal print mode gamma correction table and the toner save mode gamma correction table stored in advance in the storage unit, so that the normal print mode is set. Output image signal and toner save mode output image signal.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a gamma correction table showing the relationship between the number of gradations of the image data indicated by the input image signal and the corrected output value in the output image signal. FIG. 3A is a normal print mode gamma correction table, and FIG. 3B is a toner save mode gamma correction table. Referring to FIG. 3A, in the normal printing mode, the corrected output value of the output image signal corresponding to the text image, graphic image, and photographic image is set so as not to exceed T0. Referring to FIG. 3B, in the toner save mode, the corrected output value of the output image signal corresponding to the graphic image and the photographic image is set so as not to exceed T1, which is smaller than T0. Graphic images and photographic images tend to have high image density, particularly in high gradation regions with a large number of gradations. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, the corrected output value of the output image signal corresponding to the graphic image and the photographic image in the toner save mode is entirely made smaller than that in the normal print mode, so that the output image With respect to the image data indicated by the signal, it is possible to form an image while suppressing lightness and saturation. Therefore, the overall toner consumption amount in the toner save mode can be reduced as compared with that in the normal print mode.

  The two types of image signals that have been subjected to the halftone correction processing in the halftone correction processing unit 160 are output as output image signals to the image forming unit 60 and to the pixel count unit 62.

  As described above, in the image processing device 58, the input image signal input from the scanner unit 56 is input to the input signal processing unit 110, the region separation processing unit 120, the color correction / black generation process in accordance with an instruction from the image processing control unit. Unit 130, zoom scaling processing unit 140, spatial filter processing unit 150, and halftone correction processing unit 160, and after a series of image processing is performed in each unit, image formation is performed as two types of output image signals. Is output to the unit 60 and the pixel count unit 62.

  The image forming unit 60 includes an image memory 88 and a printing unit 90. The image forming unit 60 once outputs the image data indicated by the output image signal input from the image processing device 58 to the image memory 88 in units of pages, and then stores it in the HDD 52. The image memory 88 includes a RAM and temporarily stores image data in units of pages. The image memory 88 sequentially reads and temporarily stores image data to be transmitted to the printing unit 90 in units of pages from the HDD 52 in response to an instruction from the control unit 50 or the like, and stores the stored image data by the printing unit 90. Output to the printing unit 90 in synchronization with image formation. As described above, even when the HDD 52 stores a plurality of image data and the image memory 88 sequentially processes the image data in units of pages, there is a plurality of image data to be transmitted to the printing unit 90. The image forming operation can be performed efficiently and quickly.

  The printing unit 90 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser scanning unit (hereinafter referred to as “LSU (Laser Scanning Unit)”), a developing device, a transfer unit, a cleaning device, and a fixing device (all of which are not shown). .)including. Four photoreceptor drums, charging devices, developing devices, transfer units, and cleaning devices are provided for each of CMYK colors. The printing unit 90 further includes a manual paper feed tray, a first paper feed tray, and a second paper feed tray (all of which are not shown) that are detachably attached to the image forming apparatus 22. These paper feed trays are installed so as to be lined up and down in this order, hold the recording paper, and feed the recording paper to a paper transport unit (not shown) for transporting the recording paper. The manual paper feed tray is a tray on which a user manually installs desired recording paper, and the first paper feeding tray and the second paper feeding tray are trays for holding recording papers of different sizes.

  In the printing unit 90, a semiconductor laser (not shown), which is an LSU exposure light source, irradiates laser light based on image data to electrostatically charge the surface of the photosensitive drum that has been uniformly charged by a charging device. A latent image is formed. The developing device applies toner having a polarity opposite to the charging potential of the toner (hereinafter referred to as “developing bias voltage”) to the surface of the developing roller (not shown), thereby applying toner to the formed electrostatic latent image. Supply a toner image. The transfer unit transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum onto a recording sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit. The cleaning device removes the residue remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum after the toner image is transferred. The series of toner image forming operations described above are executed in each component corresponding to each color of CMYK, and the formed single color toner images are sequentially transferred onto the recording paper conveyed from the paper conveying unit. . As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the recording paper. The fixing device fixes the full-color toner image formed on the recording paper on the recording paper. The recording paper on which the full color image is formed is discharged from the image forming apparatus 22.

  In accordance with an instruction from the control unit 50 or the like, the printing unit 90 performs recording on the recording paper conveyed by the paper conveyance unit from one of the paper feed trays in the normal printing mode or the toner save mode as described above. An image is formed based on the image data transmitted from the image memory 88.

  Note that the development bias voltage is controlled by a control unit so that the initial image density can always be stably maintained even when the ambient environment and process conditions change and the photosensitive drum and developer change with time. It is adjusted by a process control process with 50 controls. The process control process will be described later.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the pixel counting unit 62 includes a counting unit 161, a weighting calculation unit 163, a weighting coefficient table 165, a rewriting unit 167, and an integrating unit 169. The processing in the pixel count unit 62 described below is performed for each input CMYK output image signal.

  The count unit 161 applies two types of multi-value image data (for example, multi-gradation image data such as 16 gradations or 256 gradations) indicated by the two types of output image signals input from the image processing device 58. Thus, the input signal value (gradation data) is read for each pixel. For example, when the multi-value image data is 16-gradation data, the count unit 161 reads out a corresponding value among the input signal values having values of 0 to 15 for each pixel.

  The weighting calculation unit 163 obtains a pixel count value by performing weighting for each pixel when the signal input value for each pixel is read by the counting unit 161. That is, the weighting calculation unit 163 first obtains a weighting coefficient corresponding to the read input signal value for each pixel from the weighting coefficient table 165 stored in the HDD 52 in advance. Then, the acquired weighting coefficient is multiplied with the corresponding input signal value. In this way, by multiplying the weighting coefficient, the signal input value for each pixel that is not proportional to the toner consumption amount for each pixel becomes the pixel count value that is proportional to the toner consumption amount for each pixel. The weighting coefficient table 165 stores a plurality of weighting coefficients corresponding to input signal values for each pixel. In the present embodiment, the weighting coefficients stored in the weighting coefficient table 165 are variable and can be rewritten by the rewriting unit 167. Table 1 shows an example of the weighting coefficient table 165 when the multi-value image data is 16 gradation data.

  Referring to Table 1, the weighting coefficients (α0 to α15) corresponding to the input signal values 0 to 15 stored in the weighting coefficient table 165 are variable. The rewriting unit 167 rewrites the weighting coefficients (α0 to α15) in accordance with instructions from the control unit 50. The rewriting process of the weighting coefficient table 165 will be described later.

  The accumulating unit 169 adds the pixel count values of all the pixels constituting the multivalued image data corresponding to the output image signal to each of the two types of input output image signals, thereby obtaining the entire multivalued image data. The pixel count value (hereinafter referred to as “the integrated value of the pixel count value”) is obtained. The integrated values of the two types of pixel count values obtained are stored in the HDD 52, respectively.

  As described above, in the pixel counting unit 62, the counting unit 161 and the weighting calculation unit 163 perform pixel-by-pixel processing on each of the multi-value image data indicated by the two types of output image signals input from the image processing device 58. A pixel count value for each pixel is obtained by performing pixel counting while multiplying the input signal value by a weighting coefficient. Then, the integrating unit 169 obtains an integrated value of pixel count values corresponding to each of the two types of output image signals.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the toner amount calculation unit 64 includes a toner consumption amount calculation unit 171, a toner cost calculation unit 173, and a toner reduction rate calculation unit 175.

  The toner consumption amount calculation unit 171 calculates the toner consumption amount of the output image based on the integrated value of the two types of pixel count values stored in the HDD 52. That is, the toner consumption amount calculation unit 171 calculates the normal toner consumption amount and the save mode toner consumption amount based on the integrated values of the two types of pixel count values obtained by the integration unit 163 of the pixel count unit 62. . Here, the normal toner consumption is a toner consumption when the image forming unit 60 forms an image in the normal print mode for the image data indicated by the output image signal. The save mode toner consumption amount is a toner consumption amount when the image forming unit 60 forms an image in the toner save mode for the image data indicated by the output image signal. Note that the integrated value of the pixel count value is the sum of the pixel count values of all the pixels constituting the multi-value image data indicated by the output image signal, and therefore the toner consumption when the multi-value image data is formed as an image. Proportional to quantity. Since the toner amount calculation unit 171 calculates the toner consumption amount based on the integrated value of the pixel count value, it is possible to easily calculate an accurate toner consumption amount.

  The toner cost calculator 173 calculates the normal toner cost and the save mode toner cost based on the normal toner consumption calculated by the toner consumption calculator 171 and the save mode toner consumption. Here, the normal toner cost is the price of toner required when the image forming unit 60 forms an image in the normal print mode with respect to the image data indicated by the output image signal. The save mode toner consumption is the price of toner required when the image forming unit 60 forms an image in the toner save mode on the image data indicated by the output image signal. The calculation method of the normal toner cost and the save mode toner cost is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the toner stored in the HDD 52 in advance with respect to the normal toner consumption and the save mode toner consumption. Calculated by multiplying the unit price.

  Based on the normal toner consumption calculated by the toner consumption calculation unit 171 and the save mode toner consumption, the toner reduction rate calculation unit 175 calculates a ratio of the save mode toner consumption to the normal toner consumption, for example, as a percentage. (Percentage) is calculated as a toner reduction rate.

  The normal toner consumption and save mode toner consumption calculated by the toner consumption calculation unit 171, the normal toner cost and save mode toner cost calculated by the toner cost calculation unit 173, and the toner reduction rate calculation unit 175. The toner reduction rate is notified to the control unit 50 as comparison data. Here, the contrast data is data for notifying the effect obtained by selecting the toner save mode.

  The image forming apparatus 22 is connected to a network 20 including a LAN line via a LAN I / F 66 and can perform facsimile communication with a facsimile apparatus or the like connected on the network 20. Further, data communication with an external device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC (Personal Computer)”) connected on the network 20 is possible.

  A power supply (not shown) is connected to each component of the image forming apparatus 22, and each component of the image forming apparatus 22 operates by applying a voltage from the power supply.

  The image forming apparatus 22 operates each of the above-described components so that a document image is read and printed on a recording sheet in response to an instruction by a user input operation from the operation unit 54 or an instruction from an external apparatus or the like. Various printer modes such as a printer mode for receiving image data transmitted from an external device or the like and printing it on recording paper, a scanner mode for reading a document image and transmitting it to the external device, or a FAX mode for performing facsimile communication with a facsimile device Run one of the modes.

<Operation>
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 22 according to the present embodiment operates as follows.

  The user places an original on the original placement table of the scanner unit 56 and inputs a print request, a display method of comparison data, and setting contents in the image quality adjustment mode from the input unit 78 of the operation unit 54. As a method for displaying the comparison data, the user displays a normal toner consumption amount and a save mode toner consumption side by side display method, a normal toner cost and a save mode toner cost side by side display method, and a toner reduction rate display method. You can select and enter either. In the present embodiment, the user selects a method for displaying the toner reduction rate as the comparison data display method.

  The scanner unit 56 reads image information from a document placed on a document placement table by a document detection sensor, converts the read image information into an electrical signal by a CCD line sensor, and outputs it as a digital image signal to the image processing device 58. .

  The input signal processing unit 110 of the image processing device 58 performs preprocessing for image processing performed after processing in the input signal processing unit 110 for the input image signal input from the scanner unit 56, and input gamma in image adjustment. Correction and conversion are performed.

  The region separation processing unit 120 performs region determination such as a character region and a halftone photographic region on the image signal input from the input signal processing unit 110, and adds a region separation identification signal for each region.

  The color correction / black generation processing unit 130 converts the RGB image signal input from the region separation processing unit 120 into a CMYK image signal.

  The zoom scaling processing unit 140 performs scaling processing on the CMYK image signal input from the color correction / black generation processing unit 130.

  The spatial filter processing unit 150 stores a spatial filter in advance in the storage unit according to a region separation identification signal or a setting state of an image quality adjustment mode instructed by an input operation from the operation unit 54 by a user or the like. Spatial filter processing including smoothing filter processing and edge enhancement filter processing is performed on the CMYK image signal selected from the table and input from the zoom scaling processing unit 140.

  The halftone correction processing unit 160 uses the normal print mode gamma correction table and the toner save mode gamma correction table stored in advance in the storage unit for the image signal input from the spatial filter processing unit 150. By performing halftone correction processing, an output image signal for the normal printing mode and an output image signal for the toner save mode are created. The halftone correction processing unit 160 outputs two types of output image signals subjected to the halftone correction processing to the image forming unit 60 and outputs to the pixel count unit 62.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation procedure in the pixel count unit 62. Referring to FIG. 4, pixel count unit 62 obtains an integrated value of pixel count values corresponding to each of the two types of output image signals and stores it in HDD 52 by the operations in steps S11 to S15 proceeding in this order. .

  That is, when two types of output image signals are input from the image processing device 58, the count unit 161 of the pixel count unit 62 is indicated by the two types of output image signals input from the image processing device 58, for example, 2 For each type of 16-level multi-valued image data, a corresponding value is read out from input signal values having values of 0 to 15 for each pixel.

  First, the weighting calculation unit 163 acquires a weighting coefficient corresponding to the read input signal value for each pixel from the weighting coefficient table 165 (see Table 1) stored in the HDD 52 in advance (step S12). Then, the pixel count value for each pixel is obtained by multiplying the corresponding input signal value by the acquired weighting coefficient (step S13).

  The integrating unit 169 adds two types of pixel count values by adding the pixel count values of all the pixels constituting the multivalued image data corresponding to the output image signal for each of the two types of input output image signals. Is obtained (step S14). Then, the integrated value of the two types of pixel count values obtained is stored in the HDD 52 (step S15).

  The toner consumption amount calculation unit 171 of the toner amount calculation unit 64 is obtained by the integration unit 169 of the pixel count unit 62 and is based on the integrated value of the two types of pixel count values stored in the HDD 52. The save mode toner consumption amount is calculated, and the calculation result is notified to the control unit 50 as comparison data.

  The toner cost calculation unit 173 multiplies the normal toner consumption calculated by the toner consumption calculation unit 171 and the save mode toner consumption by the unit price of toner stored in the HDD 52 in advance, thereby obtaining the normal toner cost, Further, the save mode toner cost is calculated, and the calculation result is notified to the control unit 50 as comparison data.

  Based on the normal toner consumption calculated by the toner consumption calculation unit 171 and the save mode toner consumption, the toner reduction rate calculation unit 175 calculates the percentage (%) of the save mode toner consumption with respect to the normal toner consumption. ) To calculate the toner reduction rate, and notifies the control unit 50 of the calculation result as comparison data.

  In response to an instruction from the operation unit 54, the control unit 50 displays the toner reduction rate as comparison data on the display unit 80 of the operation unit 54.

  The user confirms the comparison data displayed on the display unit 80 and selects and inputs the toner save mode as the print mode from the input unit 78 of the operation unit 54.

  The image forming unit 60 once outputs the image data indicated by the two types of output image signals input from the halftone correction processing unit 160 of the image processing device 58 to the image memory 88 in units of pages, and then stores the image data in the HDD 52. The image memory 88 sequentially reads out the image data corresponding to the toner save mode for transmission to the printing unit 90 in units of pages from the HDD 52 in response to an instruction from the control unit 50 or the like, and temporarily stores the image data. Data is output to the printing unit 90 in synchronization with image formation by the printing unit 90. The printing unit 90 corresponds to a toner save mode transmitted from the image memory 88 onto a recording sheet conveyed from one of the paper feed trays via the sheet conveying unit in response to an instruction from the control unit 50 or the like. An image is formed based on the image data to be processed.

  In the image forming apparatus 22, for example, the development bias voltage is adjusted by performing a process control process under the control of the control unit 50 as described below at every elapse of a predetermined time. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 201 in the printing unit 90. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the process control processing, FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the density state of the density detection patch 202, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the development bias voltage, It is a figure which shows the regression curve which shows the relationship with the output value of the patch image detector.

  With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6A, in the process control process, first, the printing unit 90 has a grid bias voltage of −500 V, and a laser power of a semiconductor laser as an exposure light source of LSU is Po = 0.43 mW. The developing bias voltage is changed to Vb = −275 V, −325 V, and −375 V while maintaining the image forming condition where the duty ratio in PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control of the semiconductor laser is 100%, and the photosensitive drum 201 is changed. Three density detection patches 202 of 20 mm × 20 mm are formed on the surface of the substrate.

  Subsequently, the density of the three density detection patches 202 is detected by reading the reflected light amount of the three density detection patches 202 formed by the patch image detector 200 including a reflective optical sensor. The patch image detector 200 performs sampling at approximately 10 points on one density detection patch 202 and cuts the vicinity of the maximum value and the minimum value of the detection value to obtain the average value of the reflected light amount. Detection values (I1, I2, I3) of the patch image detector 200 corresponding to the densities of the three density detection patches 202 are output to the control unit 50, respectively.

  The control unit 50 obtains a regression curve (see FIG. 6B) indicating the relationship between the development bias voltage and the output values (I1, I2, I3) of the patch image detector 200, and based on the obtained regression curve. Then, a developing bias voltage Vb0 having a predetermined density I0 is obtained. Here, the predetermined density I0 is a density that should be obtained when the duty ratio in the PWM control of the semiconductor laser is set to 80% under the above-described image forming conditions. When determining the development bias voltage Vb0, the control unit 50 changes the currently set development bias voltage value to the development bias voltage Vb0. Thus, by changing the developing bias voltage to Vb0, it is possible to form an image with a desired density by adjusting the exposure amount by the semiconductor laser.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 22, for example, the rewrite processing of the weighting coefficient table 165 is performed as described below, every time a fixed time elapses. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an operation procedure in the rewriting process of the weighting coefficient table 165, and FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the input signal value (number of gradations) and the output value of the patch image detector 200. .

  In the rewriting process, first, the control unit 50 corrects the toner density under the solid image density condition by determining the charging potential for creating the solid image, the exposure amount of the semiconductor laser, the development bias voltage, and the like ( Step S21).

  The printing unit 90 transfers a plurality of halftone toner patches having a predetermined signal input value (number of gradations) with different tones to the surface of the photosensitive drum 201 or a transfer belt (not shown) in the transfer unit. Form on the surface (step S22). In the present embodiment, three halftone toner patches having signal input values (number of gradations) indicated by points A to C in FIG. 8 are formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 201. The number of halftone toner patches to be formed is not particularly limited, but is preferably 3 or more. Thereby, a weighting coefficient can be calculated | required much more correctly.

  Next, the reflected light amounts of the three formed halftone toner patches are read by the patch image detector 200 in the same manner as in the process control process described above, thereby detecting the densities of the three halftone toner patches (step S23). . Detection values of the patch image detector 200 corresponding to the densities of the three halftone toner patches are output to the control unit 50, respectively.

  The control unit 50 obtains a graph (see FIG. 8) indicating the relationship between the input signal value (number of gradations) and the output value of the patch image detector 200, and based on the obtained graph, X is shown in FIG. A graph showing the relationship between the signal input value and the halftone gamma characteristic is obtained (step S24). Based on the obtained halftone gamma characteristic graph, a graph indicating the relationship between the signal input value and the toner consumption characteristic shown in Y of FIG. 8 is calculated (step S25).

  Further, the control unit 50 determines a weighting coefficient corresponding to the signal input value based on the obtained graph of the toner consumption characteristic, and notifies the rewriting unit 167 of the pixel count unit 62 of the determined weighting coefficient. The rewriting unit 167 rewrites the weighting coefficient stored in the weighting coefficient table 165 with the weighting coefficient notified by the control unit 50 (step S26). In the present embodiment, the weighting coefficients α0 to α15 (see Table 1) corresponding to the input signal values 0 to 15 are rewritten.

  In general, the halftone gamma characteristics in the image forming apparatus 22 change due to changes in the surrounding environment and process conditions, changes over time of the photosensitive drum and developer, and the toner consumption characteristics change accordingly. Therefore, as described above, by rewriting the weighting coefficient in accordance with the change in the halftone gamma characteristic, the toner consumption amount calculation unit 171 can calculate the normal toner consumption amount and the save mode toner consumption amount more accurately. Will be able to.

<Action and effect>
According to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 22 is an image forming apparatus that can select either image formation in the normal print mode or image formation in the toner save mode, and the toner consumption amount calculation unit 171 includes The normal toner consumption amount and the save mode toner consumption amount are calculated, and the toner cost calculation unit 173 calculates the normal toner cost and the save mode toner cost based on the calculation result of the toner consumption amount calculation unit 171, and the toner. The reduction rate calculation unit 175 calculates the toner reduction rate based on the calculation result of the toner consumption amount calculation unit 171, and the control unit 50 calculates the toner consumption amount calculation unit 171, the toner cost calculation unit 173, and the toner reduction rate calculation. Data for notifying the effect obtained by selecting the toner save mode on the display unit 80 of the operation unit 54 based on the calculation result of the unit 175. That display the contrast data.

  As described above, the control unit 50 displays the comparison data on the display unit 80 based on the calculation result of the toner consumption amount calculation unit 171, so that the user can reduce toner consumption by selecting the toner save mode. The amount can be accurately grasped. Further, since the control unit 50 displays the comparison data on the display unit 80 based on the calculation result of the toner cost calculation unit 173, the user accurately grasps the cost reduced by selecting the toner save mode. be able to. Therefore, the user can select either the normal print mode or the toner save mode in consideration of cost reduction in image formation, and the convenience for the user is further improved. Furthermore, since the control unit 50 displays the comparison data on the display unit 80 based on the calculation result of the toner reduction rate calculation unit 175, the user can more accurately and easily grasp the toner consumption reduction effect. Can do. Therefore, user convenience is further improved.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 22 includes the toner consumption amount calculation unit 171, the toner cost calculation unit 173, and the toner reduction rate calculation unit 175. However, the present invention has such a configuration. It is not limited to. For example, the image forming apparatus 22 may have a configuration including only the toner consumption calculation unit 171, a configuration including the toner consumption calculation unit 171 and the toner cost calculation unit 173, or a toner consumption amount. The configuration may include a calculation unit 171 and a toner reduction rate calculation unit 175.

[Modification]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a flow of processing in the image processing device 58, the pixel count unit 62, and the toner amount calculation unit 64 in a modification of the image forming apparatus 22 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 9, the modified example of image forming apparatus 22 has the same configuration as that of image forming apparatus 22 in the above embodiment except that the configuration of toner amount calculation unit 64 is different. In this modification, components having the same functions as those of the image forming apparatus 22 are denoted by the same reference numerals and names, and detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  The toner amount calculation unit 64 includes a cumulative toner consumption calculation unit 210, a cumulative toner cost calculation unit 212, and a cumulative toner reduction rate calculation unit 214.

  The accumulated toner consumption calculation unit 210 calculates the accumulated toner consumption of the output image based on the integrated value of the two types of pixel count values stored in the HDD 52. That is, the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit 210 first calculates the normal toner consumption amount and the save mode toner consumption amount based on the integrated values of the two types of pixel count values obtained by the integration unit 163 of the pixel count unit 62. To do. Each time these toner consumption amounts are calculated, an accumulated normal toner consumption amount accumulating the normal toner consumption amount and an accumulated save toner mode consumption amount accumulating the save toner mode consumption amount are calculated.

  The cumulative toner cost calculation unit 212 is a cumulative normal toner cost that is a price obtained by accumulating the normal toner cost based on the cumulative normal toner consumption calculated by the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit 210 and the cumulative save mode toner consumption. And an accumulated save mode toner cost which is a price obtained by accumulating the save mode toner cost. The calculation method of the accumulated normal toner cost and the accumulated save mode toner cost is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the accumulated normal toner consumption and the accumulated save mode toner consumption are stored in the HDD 52 in advance. It is calculated by multiplying the unit price of the toner to be used.

  The cumulative toner reduction rate calculation unit 214 is based on the cumulative normal toner consumption calculated by the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit 210 and the cumulative save mode toner consumption, and the cumulative save mode toner consumption with respect to the cumulative normal toner consumption. Is calculated as the cumulative toner reduction rate by, for example, percentage (percent).

  Cumulative normal toner consumption and cumulative save mode toner consumption calculated by the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit 210, cumulative normal toner cost and cumulative save mode toner cost calculated by the cumulative toner cost calculation unit 212, and cumulative toner reduction The cumulative toner reduction rate calculated by the rate calculation unit 214 is notified to the control unit 50 as comparison data.

<Operation>
Referring to FIG. 9, the modified example of image forming apparatus 22 operates as follows. The operation in this modification is the same as the operation of the image forming apparatus 22 in the above embodiment except for the operation in the toner amount calculation unit 64. Hereinafter, different operations will be described.

  In this modification, the user displays, as a comparison data display method, a method of displaying the accumulated normal toner consumption and the accumulated save mode toner consumption side by side, a method of displaying the accumulated normal toner cost and the accumulated save mode toner cost side by side, and Any one of the methods for displaying the cumulative toner reduction rate can be selected and input. In the present embodiment, the user selects a method for displaying the cumulative toner reduction rate as a method for displaying the comparison data.

  The accumulated toner consumption amount calculation unit 210 of the toner amount calculation unit 64 is obtained by the integration unit 169 of the pixel count unit 62 and is based on the integrated value of the two types of pixel count values stored in the HDD 52. The amount and save mode toner consumption are calculated. Each time these toner consumption amounts are calculated, the cumulative normal toner consumption amount and the cumulative save mode toner consumption amount are calculated, and the calculation result is notified to the control unit 50 as comparison data.

  The accumulated toner cost calculation unit 212 multiplies the accumulated normal toner consumption calculated by the accumulated toner consumption calculation unit 210 and the accumulated save mode toner consumption by the unit price of toner stored in the HDD 52 in advance. The accumulated normal toner cost and the accumulated save mode toner cost are calculated, and the calculation result is notified to the control unit 50 as comparison data.

  The cumulative toner reduction rate calculation unit 214 is based on the cumulative normal toner consumption calculated by the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit 210 and the cumulative save mode toner consumption, and the cumulative save mode toner consumption with respect to the cumulative normal toner consumption. Is calculated as a cumulative toner reduction rate by percentage (percent), and the calculation result is notified to the control unit 50 as comparison data.

  In response to an instruction from the operation unit 54, the control unit 50 displays the accumulated toner reduction rate on the display unit 80 of the operation unit 54 as comparison data.

<Action and effect>
According to the modification of the above embodiment, in the modification of the image forming apparatus 22, the accumulated toner consumption calculation unit 210 calculates the accumulated normal toner consumption every time the normal toner consumption and the save mode toner consumption are calculated. The accumulated toner cost calculating unit 212 calculates the accumulated normal toner cost and the accumulated save mode toner cost based on the calculation result of the accumulated toner consumption calculating unit 210; The cumulative toner reduction rate calculation unit 214 calculates the cumulative toner reduction rate based on the calculation result of the cumulative toner consumption amount calculation unit 210, and the control unit 50 includes the cumulative toner consumption amount calculation unit 210 and the cumulative toner cost calculation unit 212. And an effect obtained by selecting the toner save mode on the display unit 80 based on the calculation result of the cumulative toner reduction rate calculation unit 214. To display the comparison data is data to knowledge.

  As described above, the control unit 50 displays the comparison data on the display unit 80 based on the calculation result of the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit 210, so that the user can further accurately reduce the overall toner consumption reduction effect. And can be easily grasped. Therefore, for example, even when an image with a small toner consumption reduction effect in the toner save mode is formed, the user selects either the normal print mode or the toner save mode in consideration of the overall reduction effect. Therefore, the convenience of the user can be further improved, and the environmental protection can be further contributed. Further, since the control unit 50 displays the comparison data on the display unit 80 based on the calculation result of the cumulative toner cost calculation unit 212, the user accurately grasps the overall effect of reducing the cost required for image formation. be able to. Accordingly, the user can select either the normal print mode or the toner save mode with a further awareness of cost reduction in image formation, and the convenience for the user is further improved. Furthermore, since the control unit 50 displays the comparison data on the display unit 80 based on the calculation result of the cumulative toner reduction rate calculation unit 214, the user can more accurately and easily achieve the overall toner consumption reduction effect. I can grasp it. Therefore, the user can select either the normal print mode or the toner save mode in consideration of the overall reduction effect, so that the convenience for the user is further improved and the environment can be further contributed to. it can.

  In the above modification, the modification of the image forming apparatus 22 has a configuration including the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit 210, the cumulative toner cost calculation unit 212, and the cumulative toner reduction rate calculation unit 214. Is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the modified example of the image forming apparatus 22 may include only the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit 210 or may include the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit 210 and the cumulative toner cost calculation unit 212. Alternatively, the configuration may include the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit 210 and the cumulative toner reduction rate calculation unit 214.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment and its modifications, any of the comparison data display methods is selected by the user and displayed on the display unit 80 of the operation unit 54. However, the present invention is limited to such an embodiment. For example, all of the comparison data may be displayed.

  In the above embodiment, the image processing apparatus 58 performs predetermined image processing on the input image signal input from the scanner unit 56, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the image processing device 58 may perform predetermined image processing on an input image signal input from an external device such as a PC connected to the network 20.

  Further, in the above modification, the process control processing is performed every certain time, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, it may be performed when the accumulated normal toner consumption amount or the accumulated save toner mode consumption amount reaches a predetermined value.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim in the scope of claims after taking into account the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein are included. Including.

2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a processing flow in an image processing apparatus, a pixel count unit, and a toner amount calculation unit. It is a figure which shows an example of the gamma correction table which shows the relationship between the gradation number of the image data shown by the input image signal, and the correction | amendment output value in an output image signal. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the operation | movement in a pixel count part. It is a figure which shows the structure of the photoconductor drum vicinity in a printing part. It is a figure for demonstrating a process control process. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the operation | movement in the rewriting process of a weighting coefficient table. It is a graph which shows the relationship between an input signal value (the number of gradations) and the output value of a patch image detector. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a processing flow in an image processing apparatus, a pixel count unit, and a toner amount calculation unit in a modification of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

20 Network 22 Image Forming Apparatus 50 Control Unit 52 HDD
54 Operation Unit 56 Scanner Unit 58 Image Processing Apparatus 60 Image Forming Unit 62 Pixel Counting Unit 64 Toner Amount Calculation Unit 66 LAN I / F
70 CPU
72 ROM
74 RAM
76 BUS line 78 Input unit 80 Display unit 88 Image memory 90 Printing unit 110 Input signal processing unit 120 Area separation processing unit 130 Color correction / black generation processing unit 140 Zoom scaling processing unit 150 Spatial filter processing unit 160 Halftone correction processing unit 161 Counting Unit 163 Weighting Calculation Unit 165 Weighting Coefficient Table 167 Rewriting Unit 169 Integration Unit 171 Toner Consumption Calculation Unit 173 Toner Cost Calculation Unit 175 Toner Reduction Rate Calculation Unit 200 Patch Image Detector 201 Photosensitive Drum 202 Density Detection Patch 210 Cumulative Toner consumption calculation unit 212 Cumulative toner cost calculation unit 214 Cumulative toner reduction rate calculation unit

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus capable of selecting either image formation in a normal print mode or image formation in a toner save mode that reduces the amount of toner consumed as compared with image formation in the normal print mode,
A toner consumption amount calculation unit that calculates a normal toner consumption amount that is a toner consumption amount when an image is formed in the normal print mode and a save mode toner consumption amount that is a toner consumption amount when the image is formed in the toner save mode. When,
A display unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to display information notifying an effect obtained by selecting the toner save mode on the display unit based on a calculation result of the toner consumption calculation unit. . A toner reduction rate calculation unit that calculates a ratio of the save mode toner consumption amount to the normal toner consumption amount based on a calculation result of the toner consumption amount calculation unit;
The control unit causes the display unit to display information for informing the effect obtained by selecting a toner save mode based on the calculation results of the toner consumption calculation unit and the toner reduction rate calculation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Based on the calculation result of the toner consumption amount calculation unit, the normal toner cost, which is the price of toner required for image formation in the normal print mode, and the price of toner required for image formation in the toner save mode A toner cost calculation unit for calculating a save mode toner cost;
The control unit causes the display unit to display information for informing the effect obtained by selecting a toner save mode based on the calculation results of the toner consumption calculation unit and the toner cost calculation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Each time the normal toner consumption amount and the save mode toner consumption amount are calculated by the toner consumption amount calculation unit, the accumulated normal toner consumption amount and the save toner mode consumption amount are accumulated. And a cumulative toner consumption calculation unit for calculating the cumulative save toner mode consumption.
The control unit causes the display unit to display information for notifying an effect obtained by selecting a toner save mode based on the calculation results of the toner consumption calculation unit and the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A cumulative toner reduction rate calculation unit that calculates a ratio of the cumulative save mode toner consumption amount to the cumulative normal toner consumption amount based on a calculation result of the cumulative toner consumption amount calculation unit;
The control unit is obtained by selecting a toner save mode for the display unit based on the calculation results of the toner consumption calculation unit, the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit, and the cumulative toner reduction rate calculation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein information notifying the effect to be displayed is displayed. Based on the calculation result of the accumulated toner consumption calculation unit, the accumulated normal toner cost that is the price of the toner required for image formation in the normal print mode is accumulated, and the image is formed in the toner save mode. A cumulative toner cost calculation unit that calculates a cumulative save mode toner cost obtained by accumulating a save mode toner cost that is a price of toner required in the case;
The control unit is obtained by selecting a toner save mode for the display unit based on the calculation results of the toner consumption calculation unit, the cumulative toner consumption calculation unit, and the cumulative toner cost calculation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein information notifying the effect is displayed.

Images